Seeing a different code? Look up any government deposit on your bank statement.
A deposit marked CANADA FED is a payment from the Government of Canada. “FED” is the short code for a general “Federal Payment”, so the label on its own doesn’t tell you which program sent the money. You can find out in a few minutes by checking CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account, or by looking up the code in our government deposit code decoder.
Look up any government deposit code
Type the words from your bank statement (for example FED, FPT, PRO, CEB or RIT) into our deposit code decoder. It shows what each code usually means, who pays it and when it normally arrives. The rest of this page explains the “Canada FED” label in more detail and what to do if a deposit doesn’t make sense.
What “Canada FED” means on your bank statement
Government deposits in Canada travel through a system run by Payments Canada. Its rules give every type of government payment a three-digit code and a short English and French abbreviation. Codes 300 to 329 are for the federal government, and codes 600 to 620 are for provinces and local governments.
Code 300 is called “Federal Payment”, and its abbreviation is FED. Your bank usually prints the payer’s name (“Canada”) next to that abbreviation, which is how you end up with “CANADA FED”. Each bank shows it a little differently, so you might see “FED”, “CANADA FED” or a longer description.
Most federal payments don’t come from one office. The Receiver General for Canada sends payments for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), Service Canada and other departments. The Government of Canada says your bank may show some details, such as CPP for the Canada Pension Plan or OAS for Old Age Security. But for full details, you have to ask the department that made the payment.
Common Government of Canada deposit codes
Most regular benefits have their own code, so they usually show a more specific label than FED. These are the ones you’re most likely to see, based on Payments Canada’s code list.
| Code on statement | What it usually is | When it’s usually paid |
|---|---|---|
| FED | A general federal payment. The program isn’t named. | No set schedule |
| CCB | Canada Child Benefit | Monthly, around the 20th |
| CEB (older deposits: GST) | Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which replaced the GST/HST credit in July 2026 | Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct, around the 5th |
| CWB | Advance payments of the Canada Workers Benefit | January, July and October |
| RIT | Income tax refund | After the CRA assesses your return |
| CPP | Canada Pension Plan | Monthly, near the end of the month |
| OAS | Old Age Security, plus the Guaranteed Income Supplement if you get it | Same day as CPP |
| EI | Employment Insurance | A few days after each report |
| CDB | Canada Disability Benefit | Third Thursday of the month |
| FPT | Provincial or territorial benefit money, often paid with CCB or the groceries benefit | Follows the federal benefit |
| PRO | A provincial payment, such as the Ontario Trillium Benefit | Depends on the program |
Two notes. Payments Canada renamed code 309 from GST to “Canada Essentials Benefit” (CEB) on July 3, 2026, so older statements say GST and newer ones may say CEB. And “TXD” is not a deposit at all: it’s a pre-authorized payment going to the CRA from your account.
For the provincial codes, see our guides to the Canada FPT deposit and the Canada PRO deposit. For the groceries benefit, see GST/HST credit (CGEB) payment dates.
Which payments show up as “Canada FED”?
Neither Payments Canada nor the CRA publishes a list of the programs that use the general FED code. Many websites say Canada FED is the Canada Child Benefit, the GST credit or the Canada Workers Benefit. Those programs have their own codes, though, so a FED label points more often to a payment that doesn’t fit one of the named codes, such as a one-time or less common federal payment.
Some banks also shorten or change the labels they receive. That means the only reliable way to know is to match the date and amount against your government accounts. Don’t rely on a guess, especially if the money might need to be paid back.
How to confirm what the deposit is
- Check the date. Compare the deposit date with our list of payment dates this month. For example, CPP and OAS were paid on September 25, 2026. The groceries benefit is due on October 5, a Canada Workers Benefit advance on October 9, the Canada Disability Benefit on October 15 and the Canada Child Benefit on October 20.
- Sign in to CRA My Account. Once your identity is fully verified, you can see your Canada Child Benefit, groceries benefit and Canada Workers Benefit advance payments, along with a statement of account for each. You can also check your tax return status and notice of assessment, which shows any refund.
- Sign in to My Service Canada Account. This covers Employment Insurance, CPP, OAS and the Canada Disability Benefit.
- Ask your bank for the full transaction details. Online banking often shortens the description. The full record may show the originator name or code.
- Call the program. Use the numbers below. Have your social insurance number handy.
| If you think it’s… | Call |
|---|---|
| CCB, groceries benefit (GST/CEB), Canada Workers Benefit or a provincial benefit paid by the CRA | CRA benefits: 1-800-387-1193 |
| A tax refund or a direct deposit question | CRA individual tax enquiries: 1-800-959-8281 |
| CPP, OAS or GIS | 1-800-277-9914 |
| Employment Insurance | 1-800-206-7218 |
| Canada Disability Benefit | 1-833-486-3007 |
| You have no idea which department sent it | Receiver General: 1-800-593-1666 |
The CRA lines are open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm Eastern time. The Receiver General can identify a payment using your personal details, then point you to the right department.
If you don’t recognize the deposit
- Don’t spend it yet. If it was paid in error, the government will ask for it back.
- Don’t send money to anyone who contacts you about it. The CRA says it won’t demand or pressure you to pay by e-transfer, gift card, prepaid card or cryptocurrency.
- Contact the department yourself, using a number from canada.ca, not one from a text, email or voicemail. If a payment was made in error, the department will explain how to repay it.
- Check that your details haven’t changed. If you notice a change to your address or direct deposit that you didn’t make, contact the CRA right away.
If you’re missing a payment rather than puzzled by an extra one, see where is my payment? for how long to wait and who to call.
Watch out for “unclaimed deposit” scams
Scammers know people search for these codes. A common trick is a text, email or call saying you have an “unclaimed deposit”, a “pending refund” or a benefit waiting, with a link to “claim” it. Another is someone saying a government payment went to you by mistake and asking you to send it back.
The CRA says it will never:
- send refunds or payments by e-transfer or text message
- ask for personal or financial information in a voicemail or email
- send an email with a link asking you to enter personal or financial information
- accept payment in cryptocurrency, charge a fee to talk to an agent, or threaten you with arrest
Real government money arrives by direct deposit or cheque, and you can see it in your CRA or Service Canada account. If you shared information with a scammer, call the CRA at 1-833-995-2336 and tell your bank. Report scams to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. Our benefit scams guide has more examples.
Common questions
Why did I get a Canada FED deposit?
It’s a payment from a federal department that used the general “Federal Payment” code rather than a program-specific one. Check the date and amount in CRA My Account and My Service Canada Account, or call the Receiver General at 1-800-593-1666 to identify it.
Is Canada FED my tax refund?
Usually not. Tax refunds have their own code, RIT (Tax Refund). If you’re expecting a refund, check your notice of assessment in CRA My Account.
What’s the difference between Canada FED, FPT and PRO?
FED is a general federal payment. FPT and PRO come from the provincial and territorial code range: FPT usually means provincial or territorial benefit money paid by the CRA along with a federal benefit, and PRO is a provincial payment such as the Ontario Trillium Benefit.
Why does my GST deposit now say CEB?
The GST/HST credit became the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit in July 2026. Payments Canada changed the code’s name to “Canada Essentials Benefit” (CEB) on July 3, 2026, though some banks may still show GST.
Do I have to do anything when a Canada FED deposit arrives?
Not if it’s a payment you expected. If you can’t explain it, confirm it with the paying department before you spend it.
Can I get a Canada FED deposit by text or e-transfer?
No. The CRA doesn’t send refunds or payments by e-transfer or text message. A message offering one is a scam.
